Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has delivered a mixed injury update ahead of Wednesday’s blockbuster Europa League final with Manchester United in Bilbao.
The Lilywhites have a 17-year trophy curse to banish at the San Mames Stadium, where the team ranked 16th or 17th in the Premier League table will force their way into the Champions League.
Tottenham’s hopes of a first slice of silverware since 2008 have suffered a series of blows in recent weeks, notably the absences of creative duo Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison with serious knee injuries.
Lucas Bergvall has also been battling back from an ankle problem, and the club were handed a new scare over Pape Sarr in Friday’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, where the Senegal international sustained a back problem.
However, Postecoglou revealed to reporters in Tuesday’s pre-game press conference that Sarr had been given the green light to play, but Bergvall will watch on from the sidelines.
“Pretty much the same as last week. Lucas isn’t available. Pape is fine,” football.london quotes the Tottenham head coach as saying.
Sarr fit for Europa League final as Bergvall ruled out
© Imago
Bergvall, Maddison and Kulusevski are three of six Spurs players who remain in the care of the doctors, as Radu Dragusin (ACL), Timo Werner (thigh) and Dane Scarlett (groin) have also been ruled out of the final.
In brighter news, captain Son Heung-min is fit and raring to go after battling back from a troublesome foot injury, which kept him out for seven games including both legs of their semi-final win over Bodo/Glimt.
The South Korea international completed 74 minutes of the defeat to Villa last Friday, and having come through that appearance unscathed, he talked up his fitness when addressing the media before his manager.
“I’m ready,” Son said. “I didn’t expect to play that long [against Villa], but physically I’m ready to go, and also the boys are ready to go for the biggest game of the season.”
Postecoglou comes out fighting over Spurs future
© Imago
While Wednesday’s game is particularly significant for the likes of Son and Ben Davies, the two survivors of the 2019 Champions League final team, Postecoglou himself could be facing a make-or-break moment.
The Lilywhites have experienced their worst Premier League season of all time, but Postecoglou is still under contract until 2027 and will not entertain the possibility of walking away if his side are unsuccessful on Wednesday.
“I don’t think my job is done here. I think a trophy would accelerate that and I think there’s a lot still to be done,” he added. “The challenges we’ve had are well chronicled but I think there’s been some growth in there.2
“You have to try to take every opportunity that is ahead of you. I’ve been in this position before where the big game was the last game I’d manage and that’s something I’ve navigated before.”
“My future is assured. I wouldn’t be the first person who changes jobs. I’ve got a beautiful family, a great life. I’ll keep on winning trophies until I finish – wherever that is. Don’t worry about my future.”
On the other side, Man United have received a triple fitness boost for Wednesday’s showpiece contest, as Ruben Amorim named his squad for the Bilbao trip on Tuesday.
No Data Analysis info
